Share either one success or one challenge you've had working with a paraeducator... by Chad Johnson

Success

chadjohnson3 — 2024-10-08 20:19:56 UTC

I had a student diagnosed with downs syndrome in my classroom. The paraeducator and I worked collaboratively and the student was a positive and integral part of my classroom environment.

Challenge

chadjohnson3 — 2024-10-08 20:20:37 UTC

I had a paraeducator who kept trying to interrupt me and teach but his information was incorrect and it was a distraction.

2024-10-11 12:11:18 UTC

Challenge: the para liked to sit in the back on their phone

Success

2024-10-11 12:11:39 UTC

The para didn’t sit and worked with kids all class

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:11:43 UTC

No wanting to step on the toes of the gen ed teachers

2024-10-11 12:11:58 UTC

I worked with a paraeducator who spent more time chatting with students than redirecting them back to their work.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:12:02 UTC

Feeding them answers

Challenge:

2024-10-11 12:12:05 UTC

the mindset of just sitting next to one kid that “they are there for” and not moving around the room helping all students.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:12:19 UTC

I’ve asked a para to help a student and they said that they wanted to just observe because they didn’t know the content area.

Para Success!

2024-10-11 12:12:25 UTC

Helping differentiate to meet students' needs in a way I haven't considered.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:12:38 UTC

I have a hard time communicating with para educators and including them into activities. It feels sometimes like they are excluded from the fun.

Success

2024-10-11 12:12:43 UTC

Para-educator working in / helping to direct small group activities. Happens often with some of ours.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:12:52 UTC

The paras don’t like to be the “bad guys” with the students and so they come to me and add more to my plate.

Success

2024-10-11 12:12:55 UTC

Most paras I have worked with have collected resources, modified material on the fly, and known exactly what the kid needs.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:13:06 UTC

I had a paraeducator have non-academic side conversations with students when they had assignments to do.

Success

2024-10-11 12:13:06 UTC

Going above & beyond to address a student's needs

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:13:22 UTC

I have a paraeducator who likes to make loud derragatory jokes about the curriculum to get the kids to like them.

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:13:24 UTC

Constant interruption during instruction for issues that were minor issues.

A Fail

2024-10-11 12:13:38 UTC

Having a para absolutely scream at a student while I'm giving instruction (I jumped).

Challenge

2024-10-11 12:13:58 UTC

Para only sitting next to one student that “looked” like they needed help and not helping others

Success

2024-10-11 12:14:04 UTC

Taking a book club and leading them through a strong discussion on theme

Success

2024-10-11 12:14:36 UTC

I have had paraeducators who work really well with kids in small groups, and even make comments for improvement on their assignments in google classroom.

Success

2024-10-11 12:15:11 UTC

Good at checking in with all students especially ones that had been absent

Challenge

2024-11-18 18:04:46 UTC

Comfort level with material. Sometimes they are not confident with what is being taught - as if they are learning the material at the same time as the students.

Success

2024-11-18 18:05:32 UTC

Majority of paras with whom I've worked have been caring and will check in with students to see how they are doing.